Handbags and Gladrags

Infobox Single
Name = Handbags and Gladrags


Artist = Chris Farlowe
from Album = The Last Goodbye
B-side = "Everyone Makes A Mistake"
Released = 1967
Format = 7"
Recorded = Early 1967
Genre = Rock
Length = 3:30
Label = Immediate
Writer = Mike d'Abo
Producer =
Certification =
Last single = "Moanin'"
(1967)
This single = "Handbags and Gladrags"
(1967)
Next single = "Paint It Black"
(1967)Infobox Single
Name = Handbags and Gladrags


Artist = Rod Stewart
from Album = An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down
B-side = "Man of Constant Sorrow"
Released = 1972
Format =
Recorded =
Genre =
Length = 4:24
Label = Mercury
Writer = Mike d'Abo
Producer =
Certification =
Last single = "(I Know) I'm Losing You"
(1971)
This single = "Handbags and Gladrags"
(1972)
Next single = "You Wear It Well"
(1972)Infobox Single
Name = Handbags and Gladrags


Artist = Stereophonics
from Album = Just Enough Education to Perform
B-side = "Have a Nice Day"
Released = 2001
Format =
Recorded =
Genre =
Length = 4:46
Label = V2
Writer = Mike d'Abo
Producer =
Certification =
Last single = "Step on My Old Size Nines"
(2001)
This single = "Handbags and Gladrags"
(2001)
Next single = "Vegas Two Times"
(2002)

"Handbags and Gladrags" is the name of a song written in 1967 by Mike d'Abo, who was then the lead singer of Manfred Mann.

Chris Farlowe version

In 1967, singer Chris Farlowe was the first to release a version of the song. It became a #33 hit in the United Kingdom for Immediate Records.

Rod Stewart version

In 1969, Rod Stewart recorded a version for the 1970 album "An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down". This version of the song was arranged by Mike d'Abo himself, who also played piano on the recording. The song failed to garner significant sales or airplay in the United States, but when it was re-released as a single in 1972, it managed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Office theme song

In 2000, a version of "Handbags and Gladrags" was specifically arranged by Big George as the theme song on the BBC series The Office. Three versions were recorded:

*a short, instrumental piece as the opening titles theme
*a short, vocal piece as the closing titles theme
*an alternative full studio version

Both vocal versions feature the vocal performance of Waysted vocalist Fin.

In series one, episode four, a version performed by Ricky Gervais (in character as David Brent) was featured over the end credits.

Version release history

*1967 - Chris Farlowe.
*1967 - Double Feature as a single for Deram Records.
*1968 - Love Affair on the album "Everlasting Love Affair".
*1969 - Kate Taylor (Sister of James).
*1969- The Rationals
*1970 - Mike D'Abo.
*1970 - Rod Stewart.
*1971 - Chase on their eponymous album. Charted as a single that peaked at #84.
*1971 - Brian Marshall on his eponymous album.
*1971 - Gary Burton on the album "Alone at Last".
*1972 - Glyn Desmier aka Des James Arranged by M. J. Parker Produced by Tony Hatch
*1973 - Jon English on the album "Wine Dark Sea".
*1975 - Chris Farlowe on the album "Chris Farlowe Band Live".
*1992 - Mary Coughlan on the album "Sentimental Killers".
*1993 - Rod Stewart on the album "Unplugged... and Seated".
*2001 - Stereophonics as a single that charted in the top 10.
*2002 - Rod Stewart on the live album "Party at the Palace".
*2004 - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on the album "Symphonic Rock
*2005 - Chris Farlowe on the album "Hungary For The Blues".
*2007 - Engelbert Humperdinck on the album "The Winding Road" (Best of the Brits)
*2007 - Waysted on the album "The Harsh Reality"

multi-listen item
filename=Handbags and Gladrags-d'Abo.ogg
title="Handbags and Gladrags"
description=Mike d'Abo (1970). "The Mike D'Abo Collection, Vol I – Handbags and Gladrags". RPM (2001) via iTunes
format=Ogg multi-listen item
filename=Handbags and Gladrags-1970.ogg
title="Handbags and Gladrags"
description=Rod Stewart (vocal), Mike d'Abo (author, piano). "20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Rod Stewart", UMG (1999) via iTunes, (Vertigo Records 1970)
format=Ogg